Home Equity Loan & HELOC Rates California (CA) for May 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
- Location-Based Rate Tables
- Home Equity Lending Markets
- Bank & Credit Union Health Safety Ratings
- Finance Calculators
Current home equity line of credit (HELOC) rates in California include Together Credit UnionTogether Credit Union15804 Roscoe Blvd, Fairfield, CA, 91406 1350A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 5.30% offering Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Interest Only at 4.99%, Sacramento Credit UnionSacramento Credit Union1705 Iron Point Rd Ste 100, Elk Grove, CA, 95628 3756A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.16% offering Home Equity Loan at 5.99%, Safe 1 Credit UnionSafe 1 Credit Union1008 Fremont St, Bakersfield, CA, 93215A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 1.41% offering Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)**/# at 6.25%, Diablo Valley Federal Credit UnionDiablo Valley Federal Credit Union1051 Detroit Ave Ste A, Concord, CA, 94518 2457A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.16% offering Home Equity Line of Credit - Variable Rate at 6.50%, and Star One Credit UnionStar One Credit Union1080 Enterprise Way Ste 150, Cupertino, CA, 94022 3618A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.72% offering Home Equity Loan 15 Years Fixed at 6.50%. Home equity and HELOC rates as of May 18, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates. Use the tabs below to compare home equity loans and HELOCs side by side. Rates are continually updated — we recommend checking back frequently.
Rates reflect actual verified offers from lenders actively serving California borrowers. Your final approved rate will depend on your credit profile, the equity in your home, your combined loan-to-value ratio, and daily market movements. Last Updated and Verified: May 18, 2026
Compare Home Equity & HELOC Rates Today in California
As Low As
No additional details available.
Lifetime Cap: 11.125%
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Max 70% CLTV
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Max 70% CLTV
Max 70% CLTV
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Max 80% CLTV
No additional details available.
Max 80% CLTV
Max 80% CLTV
6-Month Intro Rate
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$50/Waived Annual Fee; Prime Variable Index; Waived Closing Cost; Up to 70.00% LTV/CLTV Advance Policy; $500,000 Maximum Loan Amount
Home-equity line of credit rates are variable and the maximum APR that could apply is 18.000%. Minimum monthly payment is interest-only during the first 10 years. The maximum term is 25 years, which includes a 10-year draw period and a 15-year repayment period. For lines exceeding $250,000, closing and appraisal fees may apply in the range of $1,500 to $2,500. There may be an early closure fee of $500 for home-equity lines closed within the first two years of origination.
No additional details available.
As Low As
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
As Low As; Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 8.50% - 10.50%
$50/Waived Annual Fee; Prime Variable Index; Waived Closing Cost; 70.01-80.00% LTV/CLTV Advance Policy; $500,000 Maximum Loan Amount
Owner Occupied
No additional details available.
As Low As
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Owner Occupied
No additional details available.
As Low As
Owner Occupied
Investment Property
Investment Property
Banks and Credit Unions: If you need to update your rate data or request removal from MonitorBankRates.com, please contact us here.
California Home Equity Snapshot
Local housing and income figures that shape how much equity California homeowners can borrow against. Source: U.S. Census Bureau & FHFA.
Equity and borrowable estimates are illustrative, based on a typical owner who has paid the original mortgage down to roughly 65% of current value and an 85% combined loan-to-value ceiling. Your actual figures depend on your remaining mortgage balance, credit profile, and lender underwriting.
How Much Can You Borrow in California?
Your borrowing limit on a home equity loan or HELOC is set by your combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) — the total of your first mortgage plus the new loan, divided by your home's appraised value. Most lenders cap CLTV at 80–85%. Using the statewide median home value of $734,700, here is roughly what an 85% CLTV ceiling allows at three stages of mortgage payoff:
| Mortgage Stage | Still Owed | Equity Held | Est. You Could Borrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlier in repayment | $514,290 | $220,410 | $110,205 |
| Roughly halfway through | $404,085 | $330,615 | $220,410 |
| Well into repayment | $293,880 | $440,820 | $330,615 |
The further along you are in paying down your first mortgage, the more equity sits available to borrow against. Lenders will also weigh your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and income — the statewide median household income is $99,122 — before issuing a final offer.
Illustrative estimates only, based on an 85% CLTV ceiling and the Census median home value for this area. Actual limits vary by lender (some allow up to 90% CLTV), by your home's appraised value, and by your credit profile. This is not a loan offer or a guarantee of approval.
California Home Equity Rate Trends
Compare local California home equity quotes against the statewide average
Daily HELOC and home equity loan averages tracked across our database of verified rate quotes — updated every evening.
California HELOC rates fell 0.020 points over the past 7 days to 6.555%.
California home equity loan rates currently average 7.554% based on data from institutions in our monitoring network.
California Home Equity Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are California HELOC and home equity loan rates headed through May 2027?
HELOC trajectory based on prime rate path (prime = fed funds + 3.0%). Home equity loan trajectory based on Fed funds futures and 10-year Treasury path. Not financial advice.
What Forecast Rates Mean for California Borrowers
Monthly cost on $50,000 borrowed. HELOC shown as interest-only payment (typical during 10-year draw period). Home equity loan shown as fully amortizing principal & interest on a 15-year term.
| Scenario | HELOC Rate | HELOC Mo. Interest | HE Loan Rate | HE Loan Mo. P&I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today (CA avg) | 6.555% | $273 | 7.554% | $465 |
| 6-Month Forecast | 6.555% | $273 | 7.554% | $465 |
| 12-Month Forecast | 6.305% (6.06–6.51%) | $263 (-$10) | 7.154% (6.80–7.45%) | $454 (-$11) |
Green (−) = lower monthly cost vs today. Red (+) = higher monthly cost. HELOC cost reflects variable-rate exposure: when prime drops, HELOC costs drop within one billing cycle. Locking a fixed home equity loan now insulates against further rate increases but forfeits the savings if rates fall.
How Home Equity Lending Works in California
California Equity Math
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median owner-occupied home value in California is approximately $734,700. A homeowner who owes 60% of their original mortgage on a median-valued home would have roughly $293,880 in available equity. At a typical 85% CLTV limit, that means they could potentially borrow up to $183,675 via a HELOC or home equity loan, depending on credit profile and lender underwriting standards.
Home Equity Loan vs HELOC — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Home Equity Loan | HELOC |
|---|---|---|
| Rate Type | Fixed for life of loan | Variable (prime + margin) |
| Payout | Lump sum at closing | Draw as needed, up to limit |
| Term | 5-30 years | 10-yr draw + 20-yr repay (typical) |
| Payment | Fixed P&I from month one | Interest-only during draw (usually) |
| Closing Costs | Typically 2-5% of loan | Often $0 (promos common) |
| Best For | Specific large expense, payment certainty | Ongoing access, flexible borrowing |
Want a deeper breakdown? Read our full guide: Home Equity Loan vs HELOC — Key Differences, Pros and Cons
Home Equity Loan Calculator
Estimate how much you could borrow against your home, and what the monthly payment on a fixed-rate home equity loan would look like. The home value below is prefilled with the local median from the U.S. Census Bureau — change it to your own home's value, and adjust any other field to see the numbers update.
1. How Much Can You Borrow?
2. Estimated Monthly Payment
Defaults to your estimated borrowing limit — edit to model a smaller loan.
Estimates only. Borrowing power assumes lenders allow up to the selected combined loan-to-value ratio; actual limits, rates, and approval depend on your credit profile, income, and the lender's underwriting. The payment figure is for a fixed-rate home equity loan with standard amortization — HELOC payments are typically interest-only during the draw period and vary with the prime rate, so they are not modeled here. This is not a loan offer.
Methodology & Data Sources
Independent, Free, and Unbiased Rate Comparisons: MonitorBankRates.com is an independent rate comparison service. Our California home equity loan and HELOC rate tables are free for consumers to use, and we do not receive payment from any lender to be included or to be ranked in any particular order. Listings are based solely on the rates each lender publicly advertises on its own website.
A Note on Third-Party Rate Tools: Some pages on our site also feature rate comparison widgets and tools provided by third-party partners, including the iCanBuy home equity offers widget shown above. These tools may include sponsored listings or affiliate links, and we may receive compensation when users click through them. We clearly label these widgets so you can tell at a glance which rates come from our independent MonitorBankRates.com tables and which come from our advertising partners.
Direct-Sourced & Verified Home Equity Rate Data: We aggregate home equity loan and HELOC rates for California directly from the official websites of local lenders, credit unions, and national institutions using our proprietary rate aggregation technology and a dedicated team of rate updaters. Every rate displayed is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Local, Regional, and National Coverage: Our systems constantly monitor the market to provide a complete picture of available home equity products in California. We feature a comprehensive mix of licensed NMLS financial institutions — from neighborhood credit unions and competitive regional banks to large national lenders accepting applications from CA borrowers.
Local-First Sorting: Rate tables on city pages list institutions with physical branches in the city first, followed by statewide institutions, then national lenders — regardless of APR. This intentional ordering helps homeowners find lenders they can walk into for an in-person closing, since home equity products often involve appraisal, notarization, and other steps that benefit from a local relationship.
Daily Updates & Time-Stamped Accuracy: Our rate updaters verify and update home equity rates daily. Because HELOC rates move with the prime rate and the broader market, every product features its own “last updated” date for full transparency.
Proprietary Lender Health & Safety Grades: Beyond tracking rates, MonitorBankRates evaluates the financial stability of every listed institution. Our Health Grades (A+ to F) and Star Ratings are composite metrics calculated using objective regulatory data — including the Texas Ratio — ensuring you compare rates from secure, reliable lenders.
Frequently Asked Questions about Home Equity & HELOC Rates in California
What is the difference between a home equity loan and a HELOC in California?
How much equity do I need to qualify for a HELOC or home equity loan?
What credit score do I need for a home equity loan in California?
Are HELOC interest payments tax-deductible?
What is the current prime rate and how does it affect my HELOC?
What is a HELOC draw period?
Can I use a home equity loan or HELOC for debt consolidation?
Are there closing costs on a home equity loan or HELOC?
Should I get a HELOC or a home equity loan?
Can I refinance my HELOC into a fixed-rate home equity loan in California?
How much equity could a homeowner in California have?
What is a typical home equity loan amount in California?
Can households in California afford a home equity loan payment?
How do property taxes in California affect home equity borrowing?
What percentage of homeowners in California have a mortgage they could tap for equity?
What are the best home equity rates in California?
- Together Credit Union: 4.99% (Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Interest Only)
- Sacramento Credit Union: 5.99% (Home Equity Loan)
- Safe 1 Credit Union: 6.25% (Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)**/#)
- Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union: 6.50% (Home Equity Line of Credit - Variable Rate)
- Star One Credit Union: 6.50% (Home Equity Loan 15 Years Fixed)
Home Equity & HELOC Rates by City in California
